Sew alongs and stitch alongs are always great fun! I enjoy seeing people make a pattern their own or even if they follow the pattern exactly, it's nice knowing you're creating something with others and it helps keep you on track for a finish.

cross stitched granny square on linen fabric, under that is a magnetic stork needle minder with a needle resting on it

The most recent ones I've joined in with were a year long but the Fat Quarter Shop is doing a summer Great Granny Squared-Along that is cute and simple. With patterns designed by Lori Holt, you can make a quilt, crochet or cross stitch piece. There's something for everyone and they make for good scrap busting projects too!

The Granny Square Cross Stitch pattern is free, you can download it from Fat Quarter Shop.

A cantilever wooden sewing box with one side open, filled with wooden spools of embroidery floss. Below that is a piece of linen fabric with 16 wooden spools of floss laid on top of the fabric.

The pattern lists the colours for DMC and Aurifloss colours. I'm using what I have and picked out a selection of Aurifloss in colours that I love. I grouped them into 4 and sort of planned which colours to use where, though I might change up the positions. Kind of random but I like them all so it should work out.

Here's my first granny square stitched up:

Close up of a cross stitched granny square

From the centre, Aurifloss in 2435 Peachy Pink, 6728 Cinnabar, 2880 Pale Green and 6722 Sea Biscuit.

And I just finished my second square:

Two cross stitched granny squares with a penny on the fabric below. The granny squares are each just a bit larger than the penny

From the centre, Aurifloss in 6723 Fairy Floss, 2930 Golden Toast, 4020 Fuchsia and 2606 Mist.

I'm stitching on 32ct Linen in Natural by Zweigart, using two strands of floss over two. I know linen isn't everyone's favourite (I'm looking at you Kimberly!) but I really like doing 2 over 2. For as long as my eyes can take it, I will keep stitching on linen. I do use Aida too, I recently finished a project on Aida that I will share soon! That's one of the great things about cross stitch, you can use whatever count or type of fabric you like. It may come out smaller or larger but that doesn't ever concern me. I have to admit, I haven't been sewing quite as much but I know I will switch things up and return to my quilty projects when the mood strikes.

I'm super content when I'm cross stitching, focused but chilled. If you haven't ever given it a go, this is a great pattern to start you off! Download the free pattern and join the SAL!